Investing for Evangelism and Edification
At about this time of year or earlier, leaders in various congregations are involved in working on a budget for the next year. What “line items” would you include for us? How much should be budgeted for each one? What about your own individual or family budget?
It seems to me that there is a tendency to begin thinking that evangelism and/or edification is merely a matter of making the right purchases (or as good salespeople like to say – “investments”). A particular speaker, book, seminar, DVD series, etc. would be just what is needed. If we just “invest” wisely, we will experience tremendous growth in numbers and in our individual and collective spirituality – or so we think.
To be sure, all of us want to make wise purchases. As we peruse a variety of catalogues, exhibits, or online resources, none of us would want to spend money on anything that would violate the scriptures. We would want something that would meet God’s approval and, at the same time, meet our needs in these areas.
I would like to suggest a couple of investments that are absolutely vital. Without them, there will be no evangelism. Without them, there will be no edification. Without them, we will not be doing the Lord’s will, regardless of whatever else we do.
Unless we make an investment of time, we are wasting money with all of the other things on which we may be spending money. Why would we spend money on a good tool for evangelism and never use that tool to convert anybody? Why invest in a library, a course, etc. that is intended to help me or somebody else grow as a Christian and leave that resource in the packaging or on a shelf?
That suggestion is closely related to a second suggestion. That investment of time, needs to be coupled with an investment in the lives of others. It should go without saying that evangelism requires interaction with other people. While it is important for me to be concerned about my own edification, I am being more than a little selfish if I am not concerned about the edification of others as well.
Without all of the modern resources we have at our disposal, the early church grew. It grew in numbers and in devotion as individual members (not merely the apostles) spent time in prayer and in proclamation of the Word of God.
They made some very wise investments. It is my prayer that we will follow their example.
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